At home in Milton

MILTON -- Since its incorporation by T.J. Thurma and S.H. Thomasson in 1876, the city of Milton has continued to grow by leaps and bounds through the Depression, world wars and deadly health epidemics.

Named for Milton Reese, a large land owner at the time of its founding, the city of Milton has gone from a small, country town founded in the shadow of Huntington, to a thriving community of skilled craftsmen -- including the nationally known Blenko Glass.

The following article is a brief history of Milton collected from Charles B. Murphy's text "History of Milton" and Caldwell Dudley's text "History of Milton." All of the statistical data were collected from www.city-data.com.

Early city history

Soon after the city was incorporated, the first mayor, J.R. Burke, was elected on Oct. 8, 1876, and a month later, the first City Council meeting took place. During the first Census in 1880, townspeople held various positions including carpenter, wagoner, saddler, shoemaker, butcher, blacksmith and teacher.

Civil War in Milton

Though the city was established after the Civil War, the area to be known as Milton featured skirmishes between Union and Confederate troops. Like most cities in the area, Milton was bitterly divided between loyalty to the North and the South. In 1861, Union forces occupied a church and used it as a garrison to protect the covered bridge over the Mud River for 24 hours a day.

In 1863, Confederate troops attempted to take the covered bridge, but were subdued by Union troops.

Milton and the media

M.M. Ballentine established the first newspaper in Milton, called "The Milton Star," in 1886. It was published for eight years. J.H. Harshbarger published "The Republican" from 1894 to 1898. James R. Dudley also published a newspaper in Milton. Dudley published "The Cabell Record" from 1898 to 1908.

Albert R. Field published and edited "The Milton Watchman" and "The Cabell Watchman" from 1914 to 1917.

Health epidemics in Milton

Throughout the years, Milton has suffered from several severe health epidemics. In 1900, numerous houses were quarantined by the city's health officer due to a smallpox epidemic. The epidemic was so severe and widespread that an ordinance was passed to prevent strangers from entering Milton.

The city marshal was instructed to watch for outsiders jumping from trains passing through the city as the smallpox epidemic was much worse in Hurricane Bridge town (near current day Hurricane). Milton posted fliers on the borders of the town to tell Hurricane Bridge residents that if they entered Milton, they would be arrested and thrown into "the pen."

In the late 1930s, the town went through another health crisis, but this time it was spinal meningitis. In 1936, the mayor closed schools, churches and theaters because of the epidemic. Seven residents died that year due to spinal meningitis.

Milton in World War I

During the war, Milton served as a draft and examinations center for all men in Cabell County living outside Huntington. About 2,500 were sent to the induction center, 767 were placed on active duty and 16 died.

Milton During World War II

To show support for the war effort, Milton city officials and residents joined together to minimize their use of certain materials allocated for the troops. In 1943, the city urged citizens to follow the government mandated 35 mph war speed limit on highways to save on gas. The city also sponsored a scrap iron drive to collect metal for the troops. An air raid warden was also trained and employed to give early warning to Milton's residents.

To save on war-time materials, construction projects in Milton were very limited. The City Council also created a Citizen Defense Corps following the bombing of Pearl Harbor. The purpose of the group was to create a plan of self protection against an enemy attack.

Interesting town facts

City Ordinance No. 23, created on Jan. 20, 1883, stated "It shall be unlawful for hogs to run at large in the corporate limits of the Town of Milton." The ordinance, and others like it, were unsuccessful.

Lewis B. Bowel owned the first bicycle in Milton in 1893. It was said that it attracted much attention among the citizens.

Milton's population in 1900 was 582.

The first parking meters in Milton were installed in 1947.

The first street paving project was completed in 1924.

Town Officials

MAYOR: Betty Sargent

CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS: Gary Holbert, Robert Legg, Bonnie Lewis, Kelly Mullins and Phyllis Smith.

Town Web site

www.thecityofmilton.com

Town Demographics

POPULATION: 2,356

MEDIAN HOUSEHOLD INCOME (2005): $33,800

MEDIAN HOUSE/CONDO VALUE (2005): $87,800

RACIAL MIX: White Non-Hispanic, 98.7 percent and Hispanic, 0.7 percent.

Mayor's thoughts

"We're centrally located between Huntington and Charleston, yet we have a small-town atmosphere," said lifelong resident Mayor Betty Sargent. "I've visited a lot of places, but Milton is the only place I want to live."

Residents' opinions

City councilman and 55-year-resident Gary Holbert agreed that Milton is the only place to live.

"I've been to a lot of places and traveled across the country, but Milton is the only place for me," Holbert said. "If you want to go to the city, go shopping, it's all within driving distance."

"Milton is the closest thing to Mayberry that Cabell County has," said Milton Elementary School principal and Corn Maize owner Kim Cooper. "We have a small-town atmosphere but we're still growing."